Division of Public Health reports 3rd flu-related death

Wednesday

Jan 24, 2018 at 6:00 PM

Three deceased all had underlying health problems.

Submitted News

The Division of Public Health reported the third flu-related death of the 2017-18 flu season.

The deceased, a 76-year-old Sussex County man, died in a New Castle County hospital. The man had underlying health conditions. He is the first flu-related death from Sussex County this season. Previously, an 83-year-old female and a 47-year-old male from New Castle County, died from flu-related complications. Both also had underlying medical conditions.

As of Jan. 19, there have been 912 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Delaware. This number reflects laboratory-confirmed cases. In comparison as of Jan. 21, 2017, there were 520 laboratory-confirmed cases and two flu-related deaths last season.

While DPH continues to encourage flu vaccination for prevention of the flu, the division is encouraging people, particularly those at high risk for complications and who believe they already have the virus, to contact their primary care provider immediately to begin treatment.

DPH is also reaching out to medical providers and encouraging them to begin antiviral treatment for hospitalized patients and high-risk patients with suspected influenza. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines — pills, liquid, an inhaled powder or an intravenous solution — that fight against flu in the body. They are only available through a prescription from a health care provider.